CIF-Central Section championship football game previews, predictions: The long wait is over

This is what we’ve all been waiting for. The stage has been set, the players are in place.

Since the games began in the sweltering August months, the players have grinded, toiled and fought. This Friday, the day after we give thanks, the Central Section will crown champions for its six divisions.

In the Top Gun division commonly known as D1, No. 4 San Joaquin Memorial toppled No. 1 Clovis West 30-20 in the semifinals, riding the afterburners of running back Brandon Ramirez’s three TDs. They’ll face the defending champion Liberty Patriots, who avenged an early season loss to Buchanan by beating the No. 2 Bears 28-20.

In D2, undefeated and top seed Central Valley Christian outscored and outlasted Hanford 50-41 in the semis and awaits Lemoore, a town who boasts a Naval Air Station and has jets of their own, to the tune of almost 5,000 total yards through 12 games.

And in a classic air vs ground attack in D3, high-flying Sunnyside, who boasts the state leader in passing yards with 4,305, sophomore Tanner Wilson, invades the stone-wall defense of Kennedy from Deleno.

In D4, Caruthers has a dude named Hunter Babb who’s running full-throttle in the playoffs to the tune of 656 yards and 12 TDs. They’ll host upstart Shafter, who advanced in OT on a stopped 2-point conversion, a game after stunning No. 1 Liberty-Madera 14-13.

Below are breakdowns of all six Central Section title games with each team’s road to the title, series history, players to watch, a breakdown of the game and predicted scores from yours truly and calpreps.com's computer calculations.

Two teams enter, one team leaves as Central Section champs and advances to the CIF State Bowl Regionals next week. All are two wins shy of a state crown. 

CIF-CENTRAL SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP GAME BREAKDOWNS 

Division 1

#4 seed San Joaquin Memorial-Fresno (10-2) at #3 Liberty-Bakersfield (10-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Section titles: SJM 9 (most recent in 2019 in D2), Liberty 3 (most recent in 2021 in D1)
Road to the title: Memorial defeated #5 Central 28-21, #1 Clovis West 30-20. Liberty defeated #6 St. Joseph 49-13, #2 Buchanan 28-20
Series history: None since 2004
Top players: San Joaquin Memorial: RB/S Brandon Ramirez (180-1,729, 29 TDs), WR/DB Jayden Enriquez (18-320, 2 TDs, 59 tackles, 5 INTs), DL Marquis Jones Jr. (50 tackles, 7.5 sacks). Liberty: RB Jalen Hankins (99-878, 18 TDs), WR/KR Kresean Kizzy (29-607, 8 TDs, 3 punt return TD) and DL/OL Grant Bucky (40 tackles, 5 sacks).
Breakdown: Memorial will rely heavily on the speed and toughness of running back and safety Ramirez and a massive OL that averages 270 pounds. Liberty boasts a balanced offense (28 rushing, 18 passing, 9 total defensive/special team TDs) and a stout defense that allows 12 points per game. The Panthers defense has recorded 28 sacks and 17 interceptions led by lineman Jones Jr., linebackers Brady Stovall and James Mahonoey. They’ll be tasked with containing talented running back Hankins and receiver/returner Kizzy. Liberty counters with defensive lineman and USC commit Grant Bucky, who will try to bottle Ramirez up. The quarterbacks - Carson Dean of Memorial and Cole O’Brien of Liberty - are efficient at running the offense but don’t expect a lot of passing in this one. Both teams feature a strong kicking game with Panthers sophomore Alex Asperhuov (57-59 PATs) and senior Oregon signee Grant Meadors (68 kickoffs, 53 touchbacks).
SBL predicted score: Liberty 21 San Joaquin Memorial 14
CalPreps.com computer score: Liberty 28, San Joaquin Memorial 20

Division 2

#3 Lemoore (11-1) at #1 Central Valley Christian-Visalia (12-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Section titles: CVC 6(most recent in D3 in 2021), Lemoore 1 (2005 in D3)
Road to the title: Lemoore defeated #6 Washington Union 64-8, #7 Frontier 56-21. CVC defeated #8 Sanger 20-0, #4 Hanford 50-41.
Series history: None since 2004
Top players: Lemoore: QB Ty Chambers (2,301 passing, 30 TDs, 3 INT, 598 rushing, 12 TDs), RB Andrew Moench (87-709, 11 TDs), WR DeMel Turner (37-1049, 17 TDs). CVC: DL/WR Jaeden Moore (15.5 TFL, 9 Sacks, 24-465, 11 TDs), RB Bryson Donalson (117-1,206, 15 TDs), QB Max Bakker (131-199 for 1,954 yards, 31 TDs, 4 INTs).
Breakdown: A battle between Lemoore’s high-flying, RPO offense that scores 48 per game vs CVC’s tough defense that’s allowed 13 per game. CVC’s offense is no slouch either, averaging 41 per game. How to account for Oregon commit Moore, who lines up at DE, WR and TE, 3-star running back Donalson and senior Bakker is key for the Tigers defense. The Cavaliers can win in a multitude of ways - there is no glaring weakness on either offense or defense. Conversely, how’s this for balance - Lemoore boasts 2,464 rushing and 2,438 passing yards on the season and has returned two kickoffs and four punts for TDs. Tigers QB Chambers is as dangerous as anyone in the section with the football in his hands and look out for receiver Turner who averages 28 yards per catch, tops in the section. This game could come down to whoever has the ball last
SBL predicted score: CVC 35 Lemoore 34
CalPreps: Lemoore 33, Central Valley Christian 31

Division 3

#11 Sunnyside (11-2) at #4 Kennedy-Delano (10-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Section titles: Sunnyside 0, Kennedy 3 (most recent in 2018 in D5)
Series history: None since 2004
Road to the title: Sunnyside defeated #6 Tulare 41-22, #3 Tehachapi 33-21, #15 Independence 38-22. Kennedy defeated #13 Highland 21-7, #5 Kerman 35-7, #1 Mission Prep 27-14.
Top players: Sunnyside: QB Tanner Wilson (4,305 yards on 76% completion, 50 TDs), WR CJ Jones (114-1,507, 16 TDs), WR Malaci Barnes (83-1,188, 16 TDs). Kennedy: RB/WR Gamiez Helm (49-439, 6 TDs, 28-527, 6 TDs), QB Julian Orozco (1,236 passing, 17 TDs), LB Sergio Gonzalez (89 tackles, 19 TFL).
Breakdown: It’s flash versus grit as Sunnyside’s lethal offense faces off against Kennedy’s stingy defense. Averaging 44 points during its current 10-game win streak, the Tigers passing game is difficult to defend with record-setting soph QB Wilson and a bevy of options with three 1,000 yard receivers. However, Kennedy thrives on defense, allowing 9 points per game and for a smaller school (1,112 students compared to Sunnyside’s 2,948) they don’t rely on a lot of two-way players. Since moving to running back in Round 2 of the playoffs, Helm has run for 358 yards and 4 TDs. The Thunderbirds ground game has totaled 2,654 yards and 19 TDs. Who will own the clock looms huge as Sunnyside has scored a total of 73 touchdowns compared to Kennedy’s 34.
SBL predicted score: Sunnyside 30 Kennedy 29 in OT
CalPreps: Kennedy 28, Sunnyside 20

Division 4

#8 Shafter (9-4) at #3 Caruthers (11-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Section titles: Shafter 1 (in 1955 Sequoia Division), Caruthers 7 (most recent in 2019 in D5).
Road to the title: Shafter defeated #9 Strathmore 42-21, #1 Liberty-Madera 14-13 and #4 Torres 42-41 in OT. Caruthers defeated #14 Madera 49-35, #6 Justin Garza 45-13 and #7 Coalinga 22-21.
Series history: None since 2004
Top players: Shafter: QB Ezekiel Osborne (2,641 passing, 29 TDs), RB Koa Rhodes (115-1070, 19 TDs), WR Jesus Figueroa (37-963, 13 TDs). Caruthers: QB Collin Hirschkorn (2,079, 22 TDs), RB Hunter Babb (201-1854, 29 TDs), WR/CB Landon Almeida (32-640 yards, 11 TDs, 3 INTs).
Breakdown: Both teams are riding high into the championship game, coming off last-second, wins by converting (Caruthers) and fending off (Shafter) 2-point conversions in the semifinals. The Blue Raiders feature 5-foot-7, 160 lbs junior running back Babb, who has scorched playoff opponents for 656 rushing yards and 12 TDs and 6-foot-3, 220 lb senior QB Hirschkorn. The Generals are counting on freshman QB Osborne to continue his playoff magic along with running back Rhodes and receiver Figueroa but will face a battle-tested Caruthers defense that’s recorded 28 sacks and 14 interceptions this season. Boasting one of the best student sections and community support in the Central Valley, Blue Raiders Nation and their renovated stadium will be a huge advantage.
SBL predicted score: Caruthers 31 Shafter 13.
CalPreps: Caruthers 35, Shafter 28

Division 5

#8 Pioneer Valley (7-6) at #2 Atascadero (8-4)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Section titles: Pioneer Valley 0, Atascadero 0
Road to the title: Pioneer Valley defeated #8 Delano 27-0, #1 Bishop Union 9-7, #4 Templeton 16-13. Atascadero defeated #7 Madera South 39-8, #3 Dos Palos 35-0. Series history: Pioneer holds 9-3 series advantage, defeating Atascadero 21-20 on Oct. 28.
Series history: Atascadero leads 9-3 since 2010
Top players: Atascadero: QB Kane Cooks (1,173 passing yards, 10 TDs, 803 rushing yards, 13 TDs), RB Trey Cooks (173-1,235 yards, 13 TDs), WR/DB Mason Degnan (29-445, 5 TD, 106 tackles, 6 INTs). Pioneer Valley: RB Allen Jimeniz (146-727, 9 TDs), RB Anthony Arias (143-684, 5 TDs).
Breakdown: The all-coastal title game features the Cooks brothers in Kane (quarterback) and Trey (running back) for Atascadero and the ground attack of Pioneer Valley. The Greyhound duo has combined for over 2,000 rushing yards and 36 total TDs and come to the title game with a chip on their shoulder - they were upset by the Panthers 21-20 in the regular season finale. Last season Pioneer Valley went winless in the regular season (0-8) and yet reached the D6 finals before losing to Morro Bay 29-26. This season the Panthers beat No. 8, No. 1 and No. 4 to reach the finals and will rely on running back Jimeniz to carry the load. The Central Section title would be a first for either school since the Central Coast was added to the section in 2018. 
SBL predicted score: Atascadero 28 Pioneer Valley 7
CalPreps: Atascadero 26, Pioneer Valley 14

Division 6

#3 Mendota (8-5) at #1 Hanford West (7-5)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Section titles: Mendota 3 (last one in 2016 in D5), Hanford West 0
Road to the title: Mendota defeated #14 Miramonte 56-6, #6 Woodlake 28-21, #10 Riverdale 49-28. Hanford West defeated #9 Kern Valley 13-12, #5 Avenal 27-12.
Series history: None since 2004
Top players: Mendota: QB Juan Ceja (1,300 passing, 18 TDs, 770 rushing, 7 TDs), RB Jesse Rodriguez (147-891, 7 TDs), RB Chris Mejia (144-709, 9 TDs). Hanford West: QB Dominic Alvidrez (1,312, 7 TDs), RB Oryin Turner (85-735, 5 TDs).
Breakdown: Mendota arrives with pedigree with three Central Section titles top seed Hanford West’s incredible turnaround continues, reaching their first Central Title game in school history. The Huskers were 3-30 from 2018-2021 but have won four in a row and will depend heavily on running back Oryin Turner, who accounts for 42% of his team’s carries. The Aztecs’ run-heavy attack will be tough for Hanford West to compete with though, spearheaded by Juan Ceja, Jesse Rodriguez and Chris Mejia who have combined for 2,370 yards and 23 TDs.
Predicted score: Mendota 28 Hanford West 14
CalPreps computer score: Mendota 26, Hanford West 22